Wheelchair driver and braking system

ABSTRACT

A wheelchair driver having a simple, efficient structure is mountable to a horizontal frame extension of a wheelchair between a wheel and the wheelchair&#39;s frame. The driver is mounted directly to a spindle sleeve fastened to the horizontal frame extension which provides a race for the driver to run upon. The spindle sleeve also isolates the driver from the wheel preventing any friction between the wheel and the driver. The driver has a lever extending upward from the spindle sleeve above the tire of the wheel. A handle is provided on the uppermost end for a user. The lever has a pawl extending over the tire of the wheel. The pawl has teeth on a lower surface and contacts against the tire. When the lever is rotated around the spindle sleeve, the pawl teeth grab the tire, causing the wheelchair to move. When the lever is stopped or rotated oppositely, the pawl teeth release the tire and allow the wheelchair&#39;s momentum to move the wheelchair until another forward rotation of the lever provides additional force. Brake pads on the lever, adjacent to rims of the wheels, are forcible against the rims, providing the user with a wheelchair brake. The wheelchair driver provides a user with a safe and efficient method of wheelchair motivation which does not require gripping and releasing of any moving part of the wheelchair.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The following invention relates to devices for manually moving awheelchair with the user in the wheelchair providing the motivatingforce. More specifically, this device relates to wheelchair movementdevices which allow the user to push on levers to cause wheelchairmotion without requiring the user to continually grip and release anymoving parts.

BACKGROUND ART

The usual method of wheelchair movement is for the user to grip circularhandrails fixedly mounted to the outside of the wheelchair's wheels. Todo this, the user must continually grab, push and release the handrail.For many users, this action is very difficult or even physicallyimpossible. Many devices in the art provide alternative wheelchairmoving means which do not require the user to continually grip andrelease moving parts. Each of these devices in the prior art havedisadvantages not shared by the device of this application. Some of theprior art devices restrict the free motion of the wheels increasingrolling resistance of the wheels and increasing the physical exertionrequired to move the wheelchair. Other devices in the prior art extendoutside the wheels of the wheelchair increasing the width of thewheelchair and making the wheelchair more cumbersome to maneuver intight spaces. Still other devices in the prior art require extensivemechanical modification of the wheelchair and hamper standardadjustments of the wheelchair increasing the cost and complexity ofmaintenance and repair of the wheelchair.

The following patents reflect the state of the art of which applicant isaware and are included herewith to discharge applicant's acknowledgedduty to disclose relevant prior art. It is stipulated, however, thatnone of these references teach singly nor render obvious when consideredin any conceivable combination the nexus of the instant invention asdisclosed in greater detail hereinafter and as particularly claimed.

    ______________________________________                                        INVENTOR       PATENT NO.  ISSUE DATE                                         ______________________________________                                        Krueger, T. F. 654,986     July 31, 1900                                      Williams, T. E.                                                                                                      December 11, 1906                      Everest et al.                       June 30, 1953                            Petersen                             June 15, 1965                            Bulmer                               March 14, 1967                           Good                                May 13, 196701                            Bulmer, D. L.                        March 4, 1975                            Barroza                              April 15, 1975                           Saunders et al.                                                                                                    October 19, 1982                         Platt et al.                       June 22, 1983                              Lucken, W. O.                        June 12, 1984                            Korosue, A.                          March 26, 1985                           Tait, R. E.                          April 5, 1988                            Myron Medical Products Ltd.                                                                  GB 2,213,438A                                                                                     August 16, 1989                            ______________________________________                                    

The patent to Bulmer teaches a device for moving a wheelchair withoutrequiring the user to grip and release any moving parts. Bulmer isdistinguishable from the device of this application in that the Bulmerdevice places the main lever arm outside the wheel on each side of thewheelchair. This increases the width of the wheelchair and increases thelikelihood that the lever will catch on a passing object. Also, thelever of the Bulmer device is of a material flexible enough to allow thebrake pad to engage the rim of the tire. This requires a material ofsufficient flexibility.

The present invention utilizes a rigid lever with flexibility designedinto the interface between the lever and its spindle sleeve.Furthermore, the device of this application has a spindle sleeve uponwhich the lever is mounted which isolates the lever from the wheel. Thisfeature prevents the lever from interfering with the free rotation ofthe wheel and also allows the wheel to be easily removed or adjustedwithout removal of the wheelchair driving device.

The pawl construction of the instant invention is further distinguishedover the pawl construction of the Bulmer device in that the curvedtoothed surface of the instant device more easily grips and releases thetires of the wheelchair. The construction of the pawl of the instantinvention utilizes gravity to engage and release the pawl's curvedtoothed surface from the surface of the tire. This feature lessens theforce necessary to engage and release the wheelchair driver whilecausing less wear to the tires. A corollary benefit to the curved toothsurface manifests itself when the chair travels in reverse.

The invention by Everest is of interest in that it has levers which theuser can keep his or her hands on at all times. The device of thisapplication is distinguishable from Everest in that the Everest patentrequires substantial modification to the wheels of the wheelchair andalso the Everest invention requires that the user learn to coordinatethe power strokes of each lever together in alternating patterns whilethe device of this application allows a user to establish a motionpattern that is the most convenient, such as pushing together with bothhands simultaneously. Furthermore, the Everest device lacks thesimplicities of action associated with a pawl attached to a lever.

The patent to Tait provides a device which includes a lever which driveswheels of a wheelchair. The Tait device is substantially different fromthe device of this application in that it requires substantialmodification of the standard wheelchair, requiring that gears and beltor chain drives be mounted on the wheelchair. The device of thisapplication is easily attachable to a standard wheelchair and avoidsinterfering in any way with the existing operation of the wheelchair.

The other prior art patents listed above diverge more starkly from thepresent invention than those specifically distinguished. The device ofthis application provides a unique and useful method of modification ofa wheelchair to provide users with limited physical abilities with ameans for transporting themselves without assistance.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

This wheelchair driver is, in essence, a simple lever arm which ismounted to a horizontally oriented portion of the frame which supportsthe wheels of a wheelchair through a spindle sleeve. The lever arm has alever collar on an axial end of the lever arm adjacent to the spindlesleeve. The lever collar is sized to fit over the spindle sleeve. Thespindle sleeve provides a race upon which the lever collar can runproviding the lever with a low friction rotational interface. Thespindle sleeve restricts the axial end of the lever arm from translationalong the horizontal frame portion ensuring that the wheelchair's wheelrotation is not hampered.

To install the wheelchair driver, both wheels are removed and a driveris installed on each side of the chair and then the wheels are replaced.Each lever has a handle mounted on an orbiting end of the lever oppositethe axial end. Each handle is adjustable to conform to the palm of auser's hand for maximum comfort and utility. A rotating pawl is mountedon the lever in a proper position to contact the upper surface of thetire of each wheel. The surface of the pawl which contacts the tire isserrated so that when the user pushes forward on the lever, teeth of thepawl grip each of the wheels and transfers rotational force to eachwheel. After the power stroke in one direction (e.g. forward), the userpulls back the lever towards his or her body and the pawl automaticallyreleases the tire and pivots out of the way to allow the wheelchair'smomentum to carry the wheelchair along without interference. Therefore,the user simply pumps the wheelchair along by pushing the handles andthen by bringing them back and then by pushing again.

The handles can be fitted with a variety of devices, such as straps, tohold the user's hands in place. The lever is designed to allow a slight"rocking" movement which is outwardly perpendicular to the forward andbackward oscillatory motion of the lever as it rotates about the spindlesleeve attached to the wheelchair frame on a power stroke. Brake padsare attached to the lever adjacent the wheel rims which hold the tiresof the wheel. When the levers are thusly pushed outwardly perpendicularto the power stroke, the brake pads abut against the rims of the wheels,causing the speed of the wheelchair to be reduced.

The wheelchair driver is easily attachable to the wheelchair frame bymerely removing the wheels, installing the spindle sleeve, installingthe driver and reinstalling the wheels. The levers can also be adjustedin length allowing the pawls to effectively interface with the tires ofthe wheels and still be comfortable for the user to grip. Once attachedand adjusted the Wheelchair drivers are ready for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the device of this application mounted on onewheel of a wheelchair.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a portion of that which is shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded parts view of the device of this application insection revealing details which allow the lever to "rock" engaging anddisengaging the brake.

FIG. 4 is an exploded parts view revealing details of a portion of thisapplication.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway front view of a portion of the device.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of the device with some partsexploded to reveal details.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of the device.

FIG. 8 is a front view detail of an upper portion of the device of thisinvention.

FIG. 9 is a side view detail of an upper portion of the device of thisinvention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded parts view of an upper portion of the device.

FIG. 11 is a side view similar to that which is shown in FIG. 9 in asecond position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the apparatus mounted around bothwheels of a wheelchair.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thewheelchair driver of this invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a portion of that which is shown in FIG.13 taken along lines 14--14 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a portion of that which is shown in FIG. 13with the outline of a tire superimposed thereon.

FIG. 16 is a top view of a pawl of this invention.

FIG. 17 is a front view of that which is shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an exploded parts view of a portion of that which is shown inFIG. 13.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a portion of the wheelchair driver of thisinvention in operation against a tire of a wheelchair.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a portion of the wheelchair driver of thisinvention during rotating of a wheel of the wheelchair.

FIG. 21 is an exploded parts view of a lever support assembly whichrotatably supports a lever of the wheelchair driver of this invention.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the lever support assembly with portions cutaway to reveal interior details.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along lines 23--23 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along lines 24--24 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a side view of the lever support assembly of this inventionwith portions cut away to reveal interior details.

FIG. 26 is a side view of a portion of that which is shown in FIG. 25with portions of the lever support assembly cut away to reveal interiordetails.

FIG. 27 is a side view of the wheelchair driver of this invention in aposition exhibiting an auxiliary brake feature of the alternativeembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 28 is a side view of a portion of that which is shown in FIG. 27with portions of the lever support assembly removed to reveal interiordetails.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing figures (e.g. FIG. 12) wherein likereference numerals represent like parts throughout, numeral 10 refers toa wheelchair driver. The driver 10 is attachable to a wheelchair 100providing motion to the wheelchair 100. In essence, the driver 10 has alever 40 attached to a spindle sleeve 80 fastened to the frame 110 on anaxial end 44 of the lever 40 adjacent the spindle sleeve 80 and has ahandle 20 on an orbiting end 46 of the lever 40 remote from the spindlesleeve 80. A pawl 50, attached along the lever 40, interfaces with atire 130 mounted on a wheel 120. When a wheelchair occupant appliesforce to the handle 20, the lever 40 rotates about the spindle sleeve 80and the pawl 50 engages the tire 130 causing the wheel 120 to rotate,thus causing the wheelchair 100 to move.

More specifically, the lever 40 is an elongate rigid structure havingthe axial end 44 located around the spindle sleeve 80 of the wheelchair100 with the orbiting end 46 located above the spindle sleeve 80 andbetween the wheel 120 and a frame 110 of the wheelchair 100.

The spindle sleeve 80 is formed from an inside spindle sleeve half 82and an outside spindle sleeve half 84. The two halves 82, 84 fastentogether around the frame 110 and a horizontal frame extension 70 whichreceives an axle 72 of the wheel 120. The two halves 82, 84 are fastenedby spindle sleeve fasteners 86, preferably bolts within threaded holesin the halves 82, 84.

The spindle sleeve 80 surrounds a junction of the frame 110 and thehorizontal frame extension 70. The axle 72 of the wheel 120 is notcontacted by the sleeve 80 but rather passes through an interior of thehorizontal frame extension 70 along a line horizontal and perpendicularto wheelchair 100 motion. A nut N retains the axle 72 within thehorizontal frame extension 70 and also remains clear of the spindlesleeve 80. Thus, while the sleeve 80 is near the wheel 120 frame 110junction, it does not interfere with these existing wheelchair 100 partsat all.

The axle 72 has a threaded end 71 which passes through the frame 110 andis retained via a nut N. The axial end 44 of the lever 40 connects overthe spindle sleeve 80 where the spindle sleeve 80 extends to form a boss81 covering the horizontal frame extension 70. The axial end 44, shownin detail in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 7, is provided with a lever collar 48which defines a circular hole. The hole is sized to fit over the bossportion 81 of the spindle sleeve 80 shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

The outside half 84 of spindle sleeve 80 supports a washer 83, an innerrace 93, a washer 87 and a lock ring 89 within groove 91 formed on boss81. The lock ring 89 retains the washers 83, 87 and inner race 93 uponthe boss 81. These parts restrain the axial end 44 of the lever 40 fromtranslation along and off the boss 81 of the spindle 80. These partsalso provide low friction contact surfaces for free rotation of theaxial end 44 of the lever 40 about the boss 81 of the spindle sleeve 80.The washer 87 abuts against the lock ring 89 in one side and a lever armbearing 47 on the other side. The bearing 47 is interposed between theinner race 93 of the boss 81 and the hole defined by the collar 48.Bearing 47 fastens to the axial end 44 by a screw S which fastens intothe threaded hole 43 in the axial end 44.

The bearing 47 which therefore supports the axial end 44 of the lever 40includes both play on the boss 81 and clearance on its sides embodied astwo beveled notches 45 (FIG. 3) of equal size, one on an outer uppersurface and another on an inner lower surface. The notches 45 and thecenter bore are sized to allow the lever 40 to pivot "outward" enough,i.e. along arrow Y, to cause a brake pad 60 to impact a rim 140 causingthe wheelchair 100 to slow down. The notches 45 thus provide one form ofa clearance means for the lever. Further details of the brake followinfra.

The lever arm axial end 44 includes webs 49 which extend radially fromthe collar 48 as shown in FIG. 7. A drive socket 65 is formed betweenthe webs 49, the collar 48 and the lever flange 63. The socket 65loosely fits over a restricting plate 85 which curves to maintain aconstant distance from the horizontal frame extension 70. The length ofthe restraining plate 85 is calculated to limit the lever 40 from fullrotation around the horizontal frame extension 70. This lever 40 motionrange extends from where outer radial edges 85a of the plate 85 abutwith the webs 49 and the plate 85 and webs 49 provide one form of alever rotation restricting means at extremities of the lever 40 travel.Thus, the range of motion of lever 40 is determined by the clearancebetween plate 85 and webs 49.

Note that the restricting plate 85 is placed on the outer half 84 ofspindle sleeve 80 and facing the lever arm axial end 44 preordains thelength of the arc of travel of the lever 40 and handle 20. Screws S fixthe restraining plate 85 in, either of two areas, A₁, A₂ which determineright or left side lever 40 orientation on the wheelchair 100. FIG. 4shows three holes for screws in plate 85, two of which align with holeson area A₁, or A₂. The additional two holes in plate 85 are for theroller pin 92 which passes between plate 85 and half 84 to dissipateimposed loads in use.

A handle base bracket 30, shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 10, isadjustably interposed between both the orbiting end 46 of the lever 40and the handle 20. The bracket fastener 35 fastens the handle basebracket 30 to the orbiting end 46 of the lever 40 in any one of avariety of different horizontal plane orientations, allowing the driver10 to be adjusted to variable wheel 120 sizes.

A vertical slot 36 in the bracket 30 allows the bracket to move alongthe length of the slot 36 when the fastener is loosened. The handle 20is rotatably attached to a handle base 24 to allow rotation of thehandle 20 about its axis of connection there between (i.e. along arrowsE). The handle base 24 is fastened to the upper end of the bracket 30and can be reoriented about axis "L". More specifically, base 24 resideswithin a trough 31 formed on a top surface of a horizontal leg of aninverted substantially "L" shaped bracket 30. The bracket 30 has avertical leg which connects to the orbiting end 46 of lever 40. Thetrough 31 has at least one facet 33 which abuts against the base 24 sothat when a screw S fastens the base to the trough 31, the base 24 willnot rotate. The facet 33 contacts at least one facet of a sidewall ofbase 24 for secure engagement when screw S clamps the base 24 to thetrough 31.

An upper end of the base 24 has upwardly projecting ear 37 and amedially disposed shelf 38. Ear 37 contacts a complemental tab 21 on thehandle 20 and a handle abutment 23 can contact the base 24 for addedsecureness when the handle 20 is screwed to the base 24. Thus, thehandle 20 extends from the bracket 30 in a horizontal directionorthogonal to wheelchair 100 travel unless the handle 20 is pivotedvertically for greater utility to the wheelchair occupant.

In an alternative embodiment, the handle 20 is equipped with straps orother fasteners (not shown) which keep the hands of the occupant incontact with the handle 20.

The pawl 50 is also rotatably attached to the bracket 30. Please seeFIG. 9. The pawl 50 fastens to the bracket 30 below the handle 20 andextends from the bracket 30 over the wheel 120. The pawl 50 is asomewhat circularly shaped construct mounted off-center on the verticalleg of bracket 30. In essence, it has an upper end 51 which fastensthrough a pivot point 54 to the bracket 30 in a rotatable fashion aboutarrow C, and a lower end 53. The lower end 53 has teeth 52 shaped tosecurely grip the tire 130 of the wheel 120. A handle 55 allowsorientation of the pawl 50 into one of three positions--one for forwarddrive of the wheelchair (FIG. 9) and the other for rearward drive (FIG.11) or a neutral non-drive position (not shown). The offset nature ofthe pawl 50 and the two drive positions provides bite in the wheel 120.The pawl 50 thus provides one form of a wheel gripping means for thelever 40.

Fixedly attached to the bracket 30 is a brake pad 60, shown in detail inFIG. 11. The brake pad 60 is located adjacent to a rim 140 of the wheel120. The brake pad 60 does not touch the rim 140 under drivingconditions due to the lever 40 being pulled in towards the chair centerby virtue of the clearance provided with clearance notches 45 in thebearing 47 (FIG. 3).

In use and operation (depicted in FIGS. 1, 5, 8, 9, 11 and 12), thedriver 10 functions in the following manner when installed on awheelchair 100. To go forward the lever 40 begins in a rearward positionand the pawl 50 is as shown in FIG. 9. The occupant grips the handle 20and applies force in a forward direction. The handle 20 thus acts as oneform of a lever rotational input means. The lever 40 then begins torotate about the spindle boss 81, along arrow A. The teeth 52 of thepawl 50 bite into the tire 130 as the pawl 50 pivots about arrow C. Theaction of the pawl 50 and the teeth 52 cause the lever 40, handle 20 andwheel 120 to all rotate together along arrow A. The wheel 120 rotatesalong arrow A causing the wheelchair 100 to move. As the occupantcontinues to apply force to the handle 20 the wheel 120 continues torotate. To go in reverse the pawl is rotated along arrow C as depictedin FIG. 11 and the driver 10 is moved from a forward to a rearwardposition along arrow B.

During lever rotation along arrows A or B, the lever arm 40 is limitedin motion by the restricting plate 85 contacting the web 49. Eventuallythe web 49 contacts the end 85a of the plate 85 or the occupant stopspushing or pulling the handle 20. The wheel 120 then rotates withoutfurther lever 40 motion (due to wheelchair 100 momentum) without thepawl 50 biting into the tire 130 and remains slightly out of engagementwith the tire 130. Even with the pawl 50 released and the wheel 120still rotating, the occupant can apply a rearward non-driving force tothe handle 20 causing the lever 40 to return to its starting, rearwardposition. The occupant can then repeat the above process. With eachdriving rotation of the lever 40, more force is applied tangentially tothe wheel 120 increasing the speed of the wheelchair 100.

If the occupant wishes to decrease the speed of the wheelchair 100, theoccupant can apply a force outward along arrow F on the handle 20. Thiscauses the lever 40 to pivot outward, perpendicular to the forward andrearward motions described above. The lever 40 can pivot outward aspermitted by the beveled notches 45. This outward pivoting causes thebrake pad 60 to engage the rim 140 of the wheel 120. Friction betweenthe brake pad 60 and the rim 140 causes the wheel 120 to slow down whichcauses the wheelchair 100 to slow down.

To back up the wheelchair, the pawl 50 assumes the FIG. 11 position bymoving the handle 55 counter-clockwise. This causes the teeth bias tograb in the opposite direction and permits reverse drive rotation.

The handle 20 is rotatable along arrow "L" and arrow "E". The handle 20can be locked into position in the desired location or allowed to rotatefreely during driver 10 use.

For efficient movement of the wheelchair 100 it should be equipped witha driver 10 on each side of the wheelchair 100 as in FIG. 12 so eachlarge wheel 120 is being driven. This configuration prevents thewheelchair 100 from turning due to unequally applied forces.Furthermore, this configuration allows tight rotation of the wheelchair100 when one driver 10 is braked or reversed and the other driver 10 onthe opposite side is in a forward mode.

With reference now to FIGS. 13 through 28, details of an alternativeembodiment 210 of the wheelchair driver 10 is shown and described. Inessence, the wheelchair driver 210 includes a handle 220 supported upona pawl support 230 which is attached to an upper end 242 of a lever 240.The lever 240 includes a collar 246 opposite the upper end 242 whichpivots upon a lever support assembly 260. A pawl 250 is pivotablysupported within the pawl support 230 in a manner which allows the pawl250 to interact with the tire 130 of the wheel 120 (FIG. 12) of thewheelchair frame 110. The lever support assembly 260 includes an innerhalf 262 and an outer half 264 connected together and surrounding theframe 110 (FIG. 12). A boss plate 280 is attached to the outer half 264of the lever support assembly 260. The boss plate 280 includes acylindrical race 284. The cylindrical race 284 supports a bearing 248within the collar 246 of the lever 240, allowing the lever 240 to pivotabout the cylindrical race 284 of the boss plate 280.

More specifically, and with reference to FIGS. 13, 14 and 18, details ofthe handle 220 are shown. The handle 220 is preferably a somewhatcylindrical construct with a length similar to a width of a hand of auser. The handle 220 preferably includes a surface which is formed froma material which readily sticks to the hand of a user. The surface issupported upon a rigid tubular cylindrical handle core 221. An attachedend 222 of the handle 220 includes a tab 224 extending therefrom. Ariser 225 is supported upon a top surface of the pawl support 230. Theriser 225 includes two knuckles 226 extending upwardly from the riser225. The knuckles 226 are spaced apart by a distance similar to athickness of the tab 224. Holes are located through the knuckles 226 andthrough the tab 224 which are capable of axial alignment. A pivot pin228 passes through the holes within the knuckles 226 and the tab 224 topivotably attach the handle 220 to the riser 225 and hence to the pawlsupport 230.

The handle 220 can be oriented either in a horizontal position, as shownin FIG. 13, or can be pivoted upward about the pivot pin 226 into avertical orientation, or some orientation in between. Thus, the handle220 can be adjusted to adjust to the particular needs of the user.

The pawl support 230, shown in FIGS. 13 through 15 and 18 through 20,includes a fender 232 supported above a mounting bracket 234. The fender232 approximates a crescent shape with a concave surface facing downwardand extends away from the mounting bracket 234 into a position whichoverlies the tire 130. The mounting bracket 234 is oriented inboard ofthe tire 130 and associated wheel 120 (FIG. 12) and is adjustablyattachable to the upper end 242 of the lever 240. An adjustment bolt 241adjustably attaches the mounting bracket 234 of the pawl support 230 tothe lever 240.

An inside brake support 236 is oriented below the fender 232 andadjacent the mounting bracket 234 on a side of the mounting bracket 234closest to the wheel 120 (FIG. 12). The inside brake support 236 isattached to the fender 232 through bolts 237, one bolt 237 at eachforward and rearward end of the fender 232. An outside brake support 238is bolted to the fender 232 through bolts 237 in a manner similar to theinside brake support 236. The outside brake support 238 is oriented toreside on a side of the wheel 120 (FIG. 12) opposite the inside brakesupport 236. The two brake supports 236, 238 are spaced apart by adistance similar to a width of the pawl 250 and a width of the wheel120.

Each brake support 236, 238 extends downward to a location adjacent therim 140 (FIG. 1) of the wheel 120. Pads 239 are oriented upon the brakesupports 236, 238 at locations adjacent the rim 140 of the wheel 120. Inthis position, the pads 239 can be caused to impact the rim 140, toperform braking or steering functions whenever the lever 240 is pivotedslightly toward the wheel 120 or away from the wheel 120. Preferably,the lever 240 includes a cylindrical bearing 248 within the collar 246which has an inner diameter sized to pivot upon the lever supportassembly 260. The bearing 248 is toleranced to allow pivoting of thelever 240 in a manner which facilitates activation of the pads 239against the rim 140 of the wheel 120 when braking or steering is desiredby the user.

A forward brake mount 233 is interposed between the inside brake mount236 and the outside brake mount 238 on a forward leading edge of thepawl support 230. The forward brake mount 233 extends down from thefender 232 and is attached thereto by the bolts 237 which simultaneouslysupport the brake supports 236, 238. A rearward brake mount 235 isinterposed between the brake supports 236, 238 on a rearward most sideof the pawl support 230 in a manner similar to that of the forward brakemount 233. The forward brake mount 233 and rearward brake mount 235include a brake 231 at a bottom most edge thereof. This brake 231 isoriented slightly above the tire 130 of the wheel 120 in normalwheelchair driver 210 operation. However, when an auxiliary brake isdesired, and properly activated as will be discussed below, the brakes231 are translated downward into contact with the tire 130, causingwheel 120 rotational speed to be reduced.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 through 20, details of the pawl 250 are shown.The pawl 250 is preferably a unitary mass having a forward face 252 withteeth 256 thereon and rearward face 254 with teeth 256 thereon. A lowerend of the pawl 250, as oriented in FIG. 15, has a pivot bolt 258passing therethrough which is attached to the pawl support 230 with anut 247. The pawl 250 is thus pivotably attached to the pawl support230. A knob 255 is securely attached to an upper portion of the pawl 250through which a user may cause the pawl 250 to be pivoted about thepivot bolt 258.

An inside surface 253 of the pawl 250 is located adjacent the mountingbracket 234 of the pawl support 230. The inside surface 253 includesbevels 259 between the inside surface 253 and the forward face 252 andbetween the inside surface 253 and the rearward face 254. The bevel 259is preferably angled at approximately 30° with respect to a plane of theinside surface 253. The inside surface 253 includes a detent 257 at acentral upper portion of the inside surface 253. The detent 257 isessentially a conical pit within the inside surface 253 which extendsslightly into the pawl 250.

A spring retainer 249 is formed within the pawl support 230 at alocation directly adjacent the detent 257 of the pawl 250 when the pawl250 is oriented vertically above the pivot bolt 258. The spring retainer249 is configured to extend into the detent 257 but can translate inwardaway from the pawl 250 when a sufficient force is applied. Thus, whenthe pawl 250 is oriented vertically above the pivot bolt 258, the springretainer 249 rests within the detent 257 and holds the pawl 250vertically above the pivot bolt 258. When a sufficient lateral force isapplied to the pawl 250, the spring retainer 248 is translated out ofthe detent 257. The pawl 250 is then allowed to rotate freely about thepivot bolt 258.

When the pawl 250 is oriented vertically above the pivot bolt 258, thepawl 250 is prevented from contacting the tire 130, and is thus in aneutral position. The detent 257 and spring retainer 249 assist inmaintaining the pawl 250 within this neutral position until a userdesires to pivot the pawl 250 out of this neutral position. The fender232 of the pawl support 230 is configured to allow the pawl 250 torotate about the pivot bolt 258 without impacting the fender 232.

Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, details are shown of pawl 250operation to drive the tire 130 of the wheelchair 100 (FIG. 12). Forforward operation, the pawl 250 is initially taken out of the neutralposition with the spring retainer 249 resting within the detent 257 androtated forward along arrow H (FIG. 19) until the forward face 252 ofthe pawl 250 rests against the tire 130. The handle 220 (FIG. 13) isthen activated by a hand of the user, causing the pawl support 230 andattached lever 240 to rotate about arrow G (FIG. 20). Lever 240 rotationcauses the teeth 256 to dig into the tire 130 and causes the tire 230 torotate along arrow Q. When the lever 240 is stopped from rotating alongarrow G, momentum of the wheel 120 and attached chair 100 (FIG. 12)causes the tire 130 to continue rotating about arrow Q thus causing theteeth 256 to release the tire 130.

The teeth 236 are biased to assist in gripping and releasing the tire130 as desired. With reference to FIG. 15, the teeth 256 include aforward surface 256a which is substantially horizontal when the pawl 250is in its neutral position and a rearward surface 256b which is angledat an angle β with respect to the forward surface 256a. Preferably, theangle β is approximately 30°. The teeth 256 thus have an appearance fromthe side which causes them to appear swept forward and to grip the tire130 more securely when translated along a surface of the tire 130 in aforward direction then in a reverse direction. This biasing of the teeth256 assists in release of the tire 130 by the pawl 250 when the lever240 is stopped from rotating along arrow G (FIG. 20) but momentum of thechair keeps the tire 130 rotating along arrow Q.

The teeth 256 are preferably curved when viewed from the front or fromthe rear with a radius of curvature J (FIG. 17). This slight radius ofcurvature J of the teeth 256 assists in preventing the tire 130 frombeing encouraged to pivot inward or outward when impacted by the pawl250. Hence, the teeth 256 are kept precisely aligned within the pawlsupport 230 and the pads 239 of the pawl support 230 are kept away fromthe rim 140 of the wheel 120 unless specifically directed against therim 140 by a user.

The pawl 250 is preferably configured to have a height and a pivotinglocation within the pawl support 230 that orients a contact point Pbetween the teeth 256 of the pawl 250 and the tire 130 significantlyforward from the pivoting bolt 258 of the pawl 250 when the pawl 250 isin forward operation (FIG. 19). Specifically, a tangent line T, orientedtangent to the tire 130 at the contact point P, diverges at an angle αfrom a line passing from a center of the pivot bolt 259 and through thecontact point P. This angle α is preferably less than 45°. Thus, theteeth 256 are driven into the tire 130 but are prevented from depressingthe tire 130 sufficiently to cause the pawl 250 to rotate under thepivot bolt 258.

For operation in reverse, the pawl 250 is rotated in a directionopposite of that represented by arrow H, through a vertical positionabove the pivot bolt 258, and downward until the rearward face 254 ofthe pawl 250 impacts the tire 130. The lever 240 can then be displacedin a direction opposite of that represented by arrow G, causing the tire130 to rotate in a direction opposite of that represented by arrow Q andhence causing the chair to move in reverse.

Referring now to FIG. 13, details of the lever 240 are shown. The lever240 includes the upper end 242 which attaches to the pawl support 230and handle 220 and the collar 246 which supports a bearing 248 whichslides upon the lever support assembly 260. A bend 244 is formed in thelever 240 between the collar 246 and the upper end 242 which locates theupper end 242 closer to the wheel 120 (FIG. 12) than the collar 246. Thebend is preferably approximately 7°. The lever 240 is preferably castfrom aluminum. However, any material can be used which can support thenecessary loads.

With reference to FIGS. 21 through 28, details of the lever supportassembly 260 and the lever 240 attachment thereto are shown anddescribed. The lever support assembly 260 includes an inner half 262 andan outer half 264. Each of the halves 262, 264 is a rigid substantiallydisc shaped construct with a semi-cylrindrical frame channel 266 passingvertically through each half 262, 264. Bolts 263 extend through thehalves 262, 264, tightening the two halves 262, 264 together in alocation surrounding the frame 110 (FIG. 12) of the wheel chair 100. Theouter half 264 includes a sleeve 268 extending away from the inner half262 a short distance at a geometric center of the outer half 264. Thesleeve 268 is a hollow cylindrical construct which has an inner diametergreater than an outer diameter of a horizontal frame extension 70 of theframe 110 of the wheelchair 100 (FIG. 12).

An insert 265 is threadably received within the sleeve 268. The insert268 has an inner diameter similar to an outer diameter of the horizontalframe extension 70. When a horizontal frame extension size is differentfor different models of wheelchairs 100, an appropriate insert 265 isselected so that the insert 265, when threaded into the sleeve 268 ofthe outer half 264, tightly aligns the lever support assembly 260 to theframe 110 at a position substantially concentric with a rotational axisof the wheel 120.

A boss plate 280 is attached through bolts 283 (FIG. 22) to the outerhalf 264 of the lever support assembly 260. One pivot bolt 283 passesthrough a threaded hole 269 in the outer half 264 which is located in anupper rearward quarter of the outer half 264. A second threaded hole 269is located in a forward lower quarter of the outer half 264 directlyopposite the other threaded hole 269. The lower forward slide bolt 281passes through a slot 288 in the boss plate 280. The slot 288 has awidth similar to a width of the slide bolt 281 but has a length greaterthan a width of the slide bolt 281 and which is slightly arcuate with aradius of curvature similar to a distance between the two bolts 281,283. Thus, the boss plate 280 can pivot about the pivot bolt 283slightly with the slide bolt 281 remaining stationary but allowing theslot 288 and associated boss plate 280 to pass thereunder in a downwardand rearward direction.

The boss plate 280 is a rigid ring-like structure including an annulus282 with an irregular periphery supporting the bolts 281, 283 and acylindrical race 284 extending from an axial center of the annulus 282and away from the halves 262, 264 toward the wheel 120. The boss plate280 is hollow within the interior of the cylindrical race 284. Thus, thesleeve 268 is allowed to reside within the cylindrical race 284. Thecylindrical race 284 supports the collar 246 of the lever 240 throughthe bearing 248. The cylindrical race 284 includes a groove 285 near anedge thereof distant from the annulus 282. The groove 285 is sized toreceive a lock ring 292 which can support a washer 290 over thecylindrical race 284, which in turn can support the collar 246 of thelever 240 upon the cylindrical race 284. The bearing 248 provides a lowfriction surface directly adjacent the cylindrical race 284 allowing thecollar 246 of the lever 240 to easily rotate about the cylindrical race284 as the lever 240 is rotated about arrow G (FIGS. 19 and 20).

The boss plate 280 is prevented from undesired pivoting about the pivotbolt 283 through force applied by a spring 274 within the outer half 264of the lever support assembly 260. The outer half 264 includes a flatedge 261 which has an arch 276 mounted thereupon. The outer half 264also includes a clearance passage 267 which is substantially rectangularand passes entirely through the outer half 264 at a lower rearwardquarter thereof adjacent the flat edge 261. This clearance passage 267not only passes through the outer half 264 but also passes through theflat edge 261 of the outer half 264. The arch 276 includes a threadedhole 277 which receives an alignment pin 278 therethrough which can bethreaded into a variety of different positions with a nut 279. Thealignment pin 278 supports one end of the spring 274 as it extendsthrough into the clearance passage 267 within the outer half 264.

The boss plate 280 includes a tab 270 extending perpendicularly from aside of the annulus 282 opposite the cylindrical race 284 and in a lowerrearward position on the boss plate 280. The tab 270 has a width lessthan a width of the clearance passage 267 and resides within theclearance passage 267 when the boss plate 280 is attached to the outerhalf 264. A pin 272 is attached to the tab 270 and extends toward thehole 277 of the arch 276. The pin 272 supports an end of the spring 274opposite the alignment pin 278. Thus, the spring 274 forces the bossplate 280, through the tab 270, into an upward position when no force isapplied against the spring 274.

The collar 246 of the lever 240 includes an actuating pin 245 attachedthereto through a nut 247 (FIGS. 22, 25 and 27). The actuating pin 245is oriented a distance radially away from an axle supporting the wheel120 slightly greater than a periphery of the annulus 282 of the bossplate 280. The annulus 282 supports a fin 286 which extends outwardlyfrom the cylindrical race 284 in a lower forward region thereof near theslot 288. The fin 286 includes an edge 289 thereon which is orientedsubstantially horizontal on a forward side of the boss plate 280. Theedge 289 and the fin 286 both extend outward from an axial center of thewheel 280 a distance similar to a distance of the actuating pin 245.Thus, when the lever 240 is rotated forward a sufficient distance, theactuating pin 245 is caused to impact the edge 289 of the fin 286.

This contact of the actuating pin 245 against the edge 289 of the fin286, if accompanied with sufficient force, causes the boss plate 280 torotate about the pivot bolt 283 along arrow K (FIG. 25). The slide bolt281 simultaneously slides within the slot 288. Preferably, the slot 288has a low friction upper surface 287 which facilitates sliding of theslide bolt 281 within the slot 288. This force applied by actuating pin245 is opposed by the spring 274. However, when sufficient force isapplied, the spring 274 is compressed along the boss plate 280, rotatingalong arrow K until the cylindrical race 284 abuts against the sleeve268. This rotation of the boss plate 280 in turn causes the lever 240 tobe lowered toward the sleeve 268 along arrow I and toward an axialcenter of the wheel 120 (FIG. 12). This action of the lever 240 towardthe sleeve 268 causes the brakes 231 of the pawl support 230 to impactthe tire 130, causing the auxiliary brake to be activated. Springcompression, along arrow M of FIG. 28, is maintained until the lever 240is rotated in a direction opposite of that of arrow G (FIG. 27). Thisallows the boss plate 280 to rotate in a direction opposite that ofarrow K, causing the brakes 231 to travel in a direction opposite thatof arrow I and release the tire 130.

Thus, when a user desires additional braking force, the lever 240 isrotated forward until the actuating pin 245 abuts against the edge 289of the fin 286. Further rotation of the lever 240 forward, along arrowG, causes the spring 274 to be compressed and the boss plate 280 torotate along arrow K with the entire lever 240 translating along arrowI. This causes the brake 231 to impact the tire 130. When a user wishesto release the brakes 231, the lever 240 is rotated in a directionopposite that of arrow G, allowing the brakes 231 to be released fromthe tire 130 by force of the spring 274 pushing the boss plate 280 backinto position.

While the spring 274 and associated assembly are preferably located in alower rearward quarter of the outer half 264, the spring 274 can belocated in a forward lower quarter of the outer half 264 such that theauxiliary brake 231 is activated by pulling back strongly on the lever240 instead of requiring pushing the lever 240 forward. This arrangementcan be obtained by merely swapping the entire wheelchair driver 210 onthe right hand side with the wheelchair driver on the left hand side.

The user can select a spring 274 having a desired force constant whichprevents unwanted brake 231 activation but allows ready brake 231 actionwhen desired. Also, the activating pin 245 can be adjusted, through nut247, to adjust a timing of when the brake 231 is activated. Finally, thealignment pin 278 can be adjusted, through the nut 279, to program thespring 274 with a desired amount of pre-compression, thereby fine tuningbrake 231 performance.

Moreover, having thus described the invention, it should be apparentthat numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resortedto without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instantinvention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by theclaims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The industrial applicability of this invention shall be demonstratedthrough discussion of the following objects of the invention.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a devicewhich allows a wheelchair user to move the wheelchair without assistanceand without requiring the coordination necessary to continually grip andrelease a moving part of the wheelchair. Through use of the presentinvention, a user need only rock a handle of each driver along a shortarcuate path.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device ascharacterized above which is easy to install on a standard wheelchair.This feature presents the invention in a form which allows it to beconnected to a user's previously existing wheelchair.

Another further object of the present invention is to provide awheelchair motion device which is low in friction allowing thewheelchair to roll easily and efficiently. A user can thus use thewheelchair for longer times and greater distances before growing weary.

Another further object of the present invention is to provide awheelchair motion device which requires little force for effectivemovement, benefiting a user of limited physical ability.

Another further object of the present invention is to provide awheelchair motion device which is safe to operate and keeps the user'shands well away from any dangerous mechanical parts, by keeping theuser's hands stationary on the handles at all times.

Another further object of the present invention is to provide awheelchair motion device which is durable, and requires littlemaintenance.

Another further object of the present invention is to provide awheelchair motion device which is constructed of materials and is of adesign lending itself to easy mass manufacturing techniques.

Another further object of the present invention is to provide awheelchair motion device of simple construction, providing for easyrepairs and modifications thereof.

Another further object of the present invention is to provide awheelchair motion device which is adjustable for modification to conformto a user's personal preferences.

Another further object of the present invention is to provide awheelchair motion device which is simple in operation allowing a user toeasily learn how to utilize it in both a forward and rearward direction.

Viewed from a first vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a device for manually imparting motion to awheelchair comprised of a lever pivotally attached to a spindle sleevefixedly attached to a horizontal frame portion of the wheelchairconcentric with a wheel's axle between the frame and said wheel of thewheelchair, a wheel-gripping means attached to said lever, and a leverrotational input means attached to said lever, whereby said lever may berotated about said sleeve when force is applied to said lever rotationalinput means causing said wheel-gripping means to grip a tire on thewheel resulting in rotation of the wheel of the wheelchair.

Viewed from a second vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a wheelchair having an easily operable manualtranslation system comprised of a chair mounted on axles having twolarge primary wheels, and a plurality of wheelchair drivers mounted upona horizontal portion of the wheelchair's frame between said chair andsaid wheels which surrounds and supports said axles, each of saiddrivers having a lever having an axial end rotatably attached to aspindle sleeve fixedly attached around said horizontal portion of thewheelchair's frame, a handle on an orbiting end of said lever saidorbiting end remote from said axial end, and a pawl rotatably extendingfrom said lever over a tire of said wheel at a distance from saidspindle sleeve equal to the distance from said spindle sleeve to saidtire; whereby a user sitting in said wheelchair can move said wheelchairby pushing on said handles of said drivers causing said pawls to engagesaid tires of said wheels of said wheelchair.

Viewed from a third vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a A kit for adding a means of manually driving to awheelchair comprised of a plurality of spindle sleeves mountable to ahorizontal axle receiving portion of the wheelchair between wheels and aframe of the wheelchair, a plurality of levers, each having axial endsand orbital ends, said axial ends each having a lever collar carried onsaid spindle sleeves and extending upward to said orbiting end locatedbetween the wheels and the frame of the wheelchair, a plurality ofhandles attached to said orbiting end of said levers designed to beoriented in a variety of different configurations for ease of engagingby a user, and a plurality of pawls rotatably attached to said leversnear said orbiting ends in an orientation allowing said pawls to griptires mounted on the wheels; whereby a user may engage said handles andcause said levers to rotate about the axles of the wheelchair on saidspindle sleeves causing said pawls to grip the tires causing the wheelsto rotate and causing the wheelchair to translate linearly along asurface.

Viewed from a fourth vantage point, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide wheelchair having an easily operable manualtranslation system comprised of a chair having a frame supporting anaxle means and having two large primary wheels supported on said axlemeans, and a plurality of wheelchair drivers mounted upon a horizontalportion of said wheelchair frame between said chair and said wheelswhich surrounds and supports said axle means, each of said drivershaving a lever having an axial end with a collar therein defining a holepassing through the axial end, said collar oriented with said horizontalportion of the wheelchair's frame passing therethrough, and awheel-gripping means attached to each said lever whereby said levers canbe rotated about said horizontal portion of the wheelchair's frame andimpart motion to each said wheel through said wheel-gripping meanswithout physical contact with said axle means.

We claim:
 1. A wheelchair including means for manually imparting motionto said wheelchair comprising, in combination:a lever pivotally attachedto a spindle sleeve concentric with a wheel's axle between a frame and awheel of the wheelchair, a wheel-gripping means attached to said lever,and a plurality of braking means operatively coupled to said lever,wherein an auxiliary braking means is provided, said auxiliary brakingmeans including a plurality of brakes connected to said lever andextending over a tire on said wheel, and means to translate said leverradially toward said wheel's axle a distance sufficient to cause saidbrakes to impact said tire.
 2. A wheelchair comprising, in combination:alever pivotally attached to a spindle sleeve concentric with a wheel'saxle between a frame and a wheel of said wheelchair, a wheel-grippingmeans attached to said lever, and a plurality of braking meansoperatively coupled to said lever, wherein said wheelchair has a leverrotation restricting means coupled to said lever, whereby rotation ofsaid lever is restricted to a finite arc, wherein said lever rotationrestricting means is an arcuate restricting web on an axle end of saidlever and a restricting plate attached to said spindle sleeve andresiding adjacent said restricting web; whereby rotation of said leveraround said spindle sleeve is restricted to an arc of finite widthdefined by clearance between said restricting web and said plate.
 3. Awheelchair comprising, in combination:a lever pivotally attached to aspindle sleeve concentric with a wheel's axle between a frame and awheel of said wheelchair, a wheel-gripping means attached to said lever,and a plurality of braking means operatively coupled to said lever,wherein said wheel-gripping means is a pivoting pawl having means toreversibly set teeth oriented to bite into a tire located on said wheelwhen said lever is rotated in one direction and shaped to pivot,releasing said tire, when rotated in reverse; whereby when a userrotates said lever in said one direction, said pawl engages said tire ofsaid wheel causing said wheel to rotate and whereby when a user rotatessaid lever in an opposite direction, said pawl releases said tireallowing said wheelchair to continue under momentum until said lever isagain rotated in said one direction.
 4. The wheelchair of claim 3wherein said pawl is shaped to securely grip the tire without slippagewhen said lever is engaged in said one direction and to easily releasefrom the tire when said lever is rotated in said opposite direction. 5.A wheelchair comprising, in combination:a lever pivotally attached to aspindle sleeve concentric with a wheel's axle between a frame and awheel of said wheelchair, a wheel-gripping means attached to said lever,and a plurality of braking means operatively coupled to said lever,wherein said plurality of braking means includes a first wheelchairbraking means operatively coupled to said lever, whereby said wheelchairprovides a user with a means to stop said wheelchair when said lever ispushed in a direction perpendicular to said pivotal attachmentdirection, wherein said plurality of braking means includes a secondbraking means operatively coupled to said lever near an orbiting end andmeans to translate said lever radially toward said wheel's axle adistance sufficient to cause said said second braking means to impact atire located on said wheel, whereby the user can stop the wheelchair bypushing said lever toward said wheel.
 6. A wheelchair having an easilyoperable manual translation system comprising, in combination:a chairmounted on an axle having two large primary wheels, a plurality ofwheelchair drivers mounted upon said axle between said chair and saidwheels, each of said drivers having, a lever having an axle endrotatable attached to a spindle sleeve, a handle on an orbiting end ofsaid lever, said orbiting end remote from said axle end, and a pawlrotatable oriented within an arcuate trackway of said orbiting end ofsaid lever over a tire located on said wheel, whereby a user sitting insaid wheelchair can move said wheelchair by pushing on said handles ofsaid drivers causing said pawls to engage said tires of said wheels ofsaid wheelchair, wherein an auxiliary braking means is provided, saidauxiliary braking means including a plurality of brakes connected tosaid lever and extending over said tire, and means to translate saidlever radially toward the wheel's axle a distance sufficient to causesaid brakes to impact the tire.
 7. A wheelchair having an easilyoperable manual translation system comprising, in combination:a chairmounted on an axle having two large primary wheels, a plurality ofwheelchair drivers mounted upon said axle between said chair and saidwheels, each of said drivers having,a lever having an axle end rotatablyattached to a spindle sleeve. a handle on an orbiting end of said leversaid orbiting end remote from said axle end, and a pawl rotatablyoriented within an arcuate trackway of said orbiting end of said leverover a tire located on said wheel, whereby a user sitting in saidwheelchair can move said wheelchair by pushing on said handles of saiddrivers causing said pawls to engage said tires of said wheels of saidwheelchair, wherein said levers of said drivers have brake padspositioned adjacent to rims of said wheels and said axial ends of saidlevers have clearance means which allow said levers to pivot slightly ina direction perpendicular to both the forward and rearward rotationdirection, allowing said brake pads to impact said rims of said wheels;whereby the user can stop the wheelchair by pushing said handles outwardtoward said wheels.
 8. A wheelchair having means for manually drivingsaid wheelchair comprising, in combination:a plurality of spindlesleeves mountable to a horizontal axle receiving portion of saidwheelchair and between two wheels, a plurality of levers, each havingaxle ends and orbiting ends, said axle ends each having a lever collarcarried on said spindle sleeves and extending upward to said orbitingend located between said wheels of said wheelchair, a plurality ofhandles attached to said orbiting end of said levers designed to beoriented in a variety of different configurations for ease of engagingby a user, and a plurality of pawls rotatably attached to said leversnear said orbiting ends in an orientation allowing said pawls to griptires mounted on said wheels; whereby a user may engage said handles andcause said levers to rotate about said axle of said wheelchair on saidspindle sleeves causing said pawls to grip said tires causing saidwheels to rotate and causing said wheelchair to translate linearly alonga surface, wherein said levers have brake pads positioned adjacent torims of the wheels and said axle ends of said levers have clearancemeans which allow said levers to pivot slightly in a directionperpendicular to both the forward and rearward rotation directions,allowing said brake pads to impact said wheels; whereby the user canstop said wheelchair by pushing said handles towards said rims of saidwheels.
 9. A wheelchair comprising, in combination:a plurality ofspindle sleeves mountable to a horizontal axle of said wheelchair andbetween wheels, a plurality of levers, each having axle ends andorbiting ends, said axle ends each having a lever collar carried on saidspindle sleeves and extending upward to said orbiting end locatedbetween said wheels of said wheelchair, a plurality of handles attachedto said orbiting end of said levers designed to be oriented in a varietyof different configurations for ease of engaging by a user, and aplurality of pawls rotatable attached to said levers near said orbitingends in an orientation allowing said pawls to grip tires mounted on saidwheels; whereby a user may engage said handles and cause said levers torotate about said axle of said wheelchair on said spindle sleevescausing said pawls to grip said tires causing said wheels to rotate andcausing said wheelchair to translate linearly along a surface, whereinan auxiliary braking means is provided, said auxiliary braking meansincluding a plurality of brakes connected to said lever and extendingover said tire, and means to translate said lever radially toward saidwheel's axle a distance sufficient to cause said brakes to impact saidtire.
 10. A wheelchair having a manual translation system comprising, incombination:a chair having a frame supporting an axle means and havingtwo large primary wheels supported on said axle means, and a pluralityof wheelchair drivers mounted between said chair and said wheels whichsurrounds and supports said axle means, each of said drivers having,alever having an axle end with a collar therein defining a hole passingthrough said axle end, a plurality of braking means operatively coupledto said lever; a wheel-gripping means attached to each said lever:whereby said levers can be rotated and impart motion to each said wheelthrough said wheel-gripping means,wherein an auxiliary braking means isprovided, said auxiliary braking means including a plurality of brakesconnected to said lever and extending over said tire, and means totranslate said lever radially toward said wheel's axle means a distancesufficient to cause said brakes to impact the tire.
 11. A wheelchaircomprising, in combination:a lever pivotally attached to a spindlesleeve concentric with a wheel's axle between a frame and a wheel ofsaid wheelchair, a wheel-gripping means attached to said lever, and alever rotational input means attached to said lever; whereby said levermay be rotated about said sleeve when force is applied to said leverrotational input means causing said wheel-gripping means to grip a tireon said wheel resulting in rotation of said wheel of said wheelchair;and wherein an auxiliary braking means is provided, said auxiliarybraking means including a plurality of brakes connected to said leverand extending over the tire, and means to translate said lever radiallytoward said wheel's axle a distance sufficient to cause said brakes toimpact said tire.
 12. A wheelchair having an easily operable manualtranslation system comprising, in combination:a chair mounted on axleshaving two large primary wheels, and a plurality of wheelchair driversmounted upon said axles between said chair and said wheels, each of saiddrivers having: a lever having an axial end rotatably attached to aspindle sleeve, a handle on an orbiting end of said lever said orbitingend remote from said axial end, and a pawl rotatably extending from saidlever over a tire of said wheel at a distance from said spindle sleeveequal to the distance from said spindle sleeve to said tire; whereby auser sitting in said wheelchair can move said wheelchair by pushing onsaid handles of said drivers causing said pawls to engage said tires ofsaid wheels of said wheelchair; wherein an auxiliary braking means isprovided, said auxiliary braking means including a plurality of brakesconnected to said lever and extending over said tire, and means totranslate said lever radially toward the wheel's axle a distancesufficient to cause said brakes to impact the tire.
 13. A wheelchairhaving means of manually driving said wheelchair comprising, incombination:a plurality of spindle sleeves mountable to a horizontalaxle receiving portion of said wheelchair between wheels, a plurality oflevers, each having axle ends and orbiting ends, said axle ends eachhaving a lever collar carried on said spindle sleeves and extendingupward to said orbiting end located between said wheels of saidwheelchair, a plurality of handles attached to said orbiting end of saidlevers designed to be oriented in a variety of different configurationsfor ease of engaging by a user, and a plurality of pawls rotatablyattached to said levers near said orbiting ends in an orientationallowing said pawls to grip tires mounted on said wheels; whereby a usermay engage said handles and cause said levers to rotate about said axlesof said wheelchair on said spindle sleeves causing said pawls to gripsaid tires causing said wheels to rotate and causing said wheelchair totranslate linearly along a surface; wherein an auxiliary braking meansis provided, said auxiliary braking means including a plurality ofbrakes connected to said lever and extending over said tires, and meansto translate said lever radially toward said wheel's axle a distancesufficient to cause said brakes to impact said tire.
 14. A wheelchairhaving a manual translation system comprising, in combination:a chairhaving a frame supporting an axle means and having two large primarywheels supported on said axle means, and a plurality of wheelchairdrivers mounted between said chair and said wheels which surrounds andsupports said axle means, each of said drivers having: a lever having anaxial end with a collar therein defining a hole passing through theaxial end, and a wheel-gripping means attached to each said lever;whereby said levers can be rotated and impart motion to each said wheelthrough said wheel-gripping means; wherein an auxiliary braking means isprovided, said auxiliary braking means including a plurality of brakesconnected to said lever and extending over said tire, and means totranslate said lever radially toward the wheel's axle a distancesufficient to cause said brakes to impact the tire.
 15. A wheelchairincluding a device for manually imparting motion to said wheelchair,comprising, in combination:a lever attached to a spindle sleeveconcentric with a wheel's axle between a frame and a wheel of saidwheelchair; and a wheel-gripping means attached to said lever andconstrained within an arcuate channel, wherein an auxiliary brakingmeans is provided, said auxiliary braking means including a plurality ofbrakes connected to said lever and extending over a tire, and means totranslate said lever radially toward said wheel's axle a distancesufficient to cause said brakes to impact said tire.